First, the deal will bolster both Samsung and Google's patent positions against patent infringement allegations and subsequent litigation from competitors, and specifically Apple, which has been involved in acrimonious, multinational patent battles worth billions of dollars against Samsung for years now, over Samsung's Android-powered range of Galaxy smartphones and tablets.

Second, it is a sign of how Google continues to put the patents it gained from its $12.5 billion Motorola acquisition to good use across the Android ecosystem. The ecosystem part is key here. I personally wouldn’t be surprised to see deals like this one appear with other OEMs.

But, this is how patents disputes should be resolved, with mutual agreements between the two companies.

And what if Apple doesn't want to offer anything for Samsung's theft? Realistically they shouldn't have to hence the reason why they don't. A mutual agreement in this case would be for Samsung to stop stealing and then to pay for the damage done. But then Apple has asked for this. They won in court for this position too.